Easy steps to save Energy, Money and the Environment - Calor Gas

Easy steps to save
Energy, Money and
the Environment
Calor Energy
Efficiency in
the Home
Enjoy a Calorful life

Contents
Introduction
Introduction
why lpg? 1
Throughout the Home 3
Boilers and Controls 4
Hot WATER 5
Kitchen 7
Living Room 9
Mobile heaters 11
Bathrooms 13
Bedrooms 13
Hall, stairs and Attic 14
THE HOME OF THE FUTURE WITH CALOR 15
Calor and the Environment 16
Sustainability begins at home…
At Calor, Ireland’s leading distributor of Liquefied
Petroleum Gas (LPG), we are highly aware of the
environmental challenges facing all of us. One
way in which we can make a real difference to the
environment is to improve the way in which we use
energy. This will not only help the environment but
also reduce energy costs.
We are committed to a policy of encouraging energy
efficiency, so we thought it would be useful to share
our expertise with you. Saving energy in the home
will help the environment and save you money!
We hope that you find the following energy efficiency
tips for the home useful.
Your Calor Team
Calor has been a leading distributor of Liquefied Petroleum Gas throughout Ireland for 75 years.

Why LPG?
LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is one of
the cleanest fuels available in terms of CO 2
emissions. On average, in domestic and
industrial use, LPG generates 11% less
CO 2 (per kilowatt hour) than oil, 33% less
CO 2 than coal and a massive 58% less CO 2
than electricity*. It is therefore kinder to the
environment and more sustainable in the
long term.
Because it has lower carbon emissions, LPG is an ideal
partner fuel for renewable energies such as solar and wind
power. Calor is already partnering with renewable energy
providers so that LPG will complement these new green
technologies.
LPG from Calor allows you to reduce your CO 2 emissions,
become more energy efficient and enjoy all of your energy
needs from one source.
LPG is the fuel of the future!
In its five major applications – space and water heating,
cooking, automotive and power generation – significant
carbon emission reductions are made when compared
to other traditional energy sources.
LPG produces no harmful or potentially dangerous waste,
and has no hidden social or environmental impact.
* SEAI, Energy in Ireland, 2009
Easy steps to save Energy, Money and the Environment
(Source: Sustainable Energy Ireland - Energy in Ireland report 2009)
1

Throughout the Home
There are a number of general energy
saving tips which can help energy efficiency
throughout the home.
Reducing or eliminating draughts from external
windows and doors can greatly enhance your comfort,
reduce energy use and save you money. Remember
to allow adequate ventilation especially when using
fuel-burning appliances.
If you are replacing your windows opt for double glazing.
This will reduce draughts, external noise and energy loss.
Wall insulation in the home can be improved in a
number of ways but professional advice should be
sought in all cases.
Unplug your phone charger. Left on standby, it will use
up to 20% of the energy used when charging your phone.
Use fluorescent tube lighting as they are far more
energy efficient than traditional tungsten filament bulbs.
If this is not suitable, install CFLs.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use only 20%
of the energy of traditional bulbs and last up to 15 times
longer, making them a good investment. Remember
to turn off the lights when you leave a room.
Lined curtains will provide better insulation, helping
to reduce your energy usage.
Easy steps to save Energy, Money and the Environment
3

Boilers and Controls
Boilers account for around 60% of all
domestic CO 2 emissions, so choosing a high
efficiency boiler will not only typically save
you around a third off your heating bill, it will
help you reduce your carbon footprint. LPG
boilers are now over 90% efficient.
Timers reduce the length of time your heating system
is running which means your system wastes less energy.
Less wasted energy means real savings for you.
Many homes in Ireland have a single zone heating
circuit with the only control being on the boiler, a room
thermostat or individual thermostatic radiator valves.
However, heating needs in each room vary with bedrooms
requiring lower temperatures for longer hours than a living
room, for example. If you are installing a new central
heating system, consider having a fully zoned time
and temperature controlled system fitted with at least
3 zones, e.g. living areas, sleeping area and hot water.
This system has a separate thermostat for each zone,
helping you save on your fuel bill.
20°C is the ideal room temperature for living areas and
turning down your thermostat by just 1°C can save you
up to 10% off your heating bill.
There are some clever additional controls that you can add
to your heating system. For example, by adding a weather
compensation system which can detect both internal and
external temperatures, you can optimise boiler and system
performance to achieve a comfortable heat level and avoid
unnecessary boiler over-runs.
All gas boilers should be serviced annually by
a suitably qualified person. If your boiler is over
10 years old, you should consider replacing it.
Calor can help you to combine the right boiler
with the right controls. Contact Calor to ask
about our current offers.
4

HOT WATER
Heating water accounts for approximately
30% of energy consumption in the typical
home.
Your hot water cylinder should be insulated to prevent
unnecessary heat loss. This can be achieved by fitting
a lagging jacket but it is even better if the cylinder has
factory-fitted insulation.
You should have a cylinder thermostat fitted to ensure
that you only heat the water you need.
Your immersion should have a timer fitted to ensure
that you only heat the water you need.
Using LPG from Calor to heat your water is not only
smart and efficient - it’s also an environmentally friendly
option because of the reduction in harmful greenhouse
gas emissions.
Calor combined with solar panels provides the ideal
solution to reducing your carbon emissions and helping
you save on your water heating costs.
If you have no control over your hot water, and if you feel
concerned about conserving energy, feel free to contact
Calor for more information about installing a control
system. With a control system installed, you can save
energy and save on your gas bill.
Easy steps to save Energy, Money and the Environment
5

6
The instant, controllable
heat of a direct flame from
Calor provides the ultimate
cooking experience.

Kitchen
The kitchen is the room where most energy
is used. But by taking simple steps you can
make a huge difference to energy efficiency
and in turn, to your pocket.
Where possible, buy “A” - rated kitchen appliances.
They use less electricity and cost less to run.
Cooking with Calor not only gives you the benefit of
instant controllable heat, it also reduces electricity usage
during peak times, which is good for the environment.
Remember, each time the oven door is opened, 20%
of the heat escapes, so try limiting the amount of times
you do so.
Make sure cold appliances (fridges and freezers) are
placed out of direct sunlight where possible and away
from hot appliances (cookers).
Defrosting your freezer regularly will save energy and
lengthen the life of the appliance. Avoid putting warm
or hot food directly into the fridge, let it cool down first.
Put the washing machine on when you have a full load
and select the lowest water temperature possible.
Remember, don’t overload.
Stop the dishwasher at the start of the drying cycle and
leave the door open to let the dishes air dry. Don’t under
or overload the dishwasher.
Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need
to use.
Using the toaster for bread uses less energy than putting
it under the grill.
Easy steps to save Energy, Money and the Environment
7

8
The heat provided by
Calor makes your living
room the perfect place
to relax and unwind.

Living Room
Did you know that an open fire can lose
up to 80% of its heat up the chimney?
With Calor you can have a beautiful, instant, controllable
and high efficiency gas fire, no matter where you live or
what type of central heating you have. High efficiency
glass fronted gas fires raise the temperature in a room
faster than standard models, allowing you to turn down
the fire sooner, resulting in lower running costs and
reduced carbon emissions.
Appliances and lights should be turned off when not in
use. If appliances are left on “standby” they still consume
energy. Turning off your computer at night can help you
to save up to 25% on your annual energy bill.
Avoid leaving your television on standby mode as it can
use up to half the electricity as when it is switched on.
The Provence
portable stove
from Calor
Easy steps to save Energy, Money and the Environment
9

10
The Provence Mobile Heater
is perfect for living rooms,
kitchens and conservatories.

MOBILE HEATERS
Instead of turning on your central heating,
you can heat just one room with a mobile
heater, thus saving energy, and reducing
costs in real terms.
As always, mobile heaters will be popular during the
colder months, offering quick and efficient spot heating
for your home.
Did you know that a mobile heater is also perfect for
the summer when you require just a little bit of heat
on a cool evening?
Have you also thought of using a mobile heater when;
• Having breakfast in the morning when you want
to warm up quickly?
• Keeping warm in your home office?
• Relaxing in your living room or conservatory?
You will have peace of mind knowing that the Provence
mobile heater features variable flame controls and an
oxygen depletion cut-off device to ensure controllability
and safety.
Easy steps to save Energy, Money and the Environment
11

12
Calor will heat your
bathroom and
provide hot water
for your bath and
shower.

Bathrooms
Bedrooms
Ensure taps are not left dripping, especially
hot taps as you’ll be wasting water and
energy.
Taking a shower rather than a bath uses far less water.
Consider fitting a thermostatic mixing valve to your
shower. This will ensure the water temperature is the
same for every shower.
By fitting a spray tap you can reduce the amount
of water wasted. Spray taps use a cup of water
for every half bucket that a traditional tap would use.
Install low-flow shower heads to use less water.
Generally, less heat is required in the
bedrooms so try to keep the temperature
to below 18°C.
Radiator shelves can help deflect heat past the curtains
into the room, helping to keep the room warm. Remember
to keep curtains closed at night to insulate the room.
Turn off radiators in bedrooms when they are not in use
and close the door.
Having a fully zoned time and temperature controlled
system with the sleep areas as one zone will allow
you to only have heating on here when you need it.
Turning off or lowering your central heating approximately
one hour before going to bed will help reduce your
heating bill.
Easy steps to save Energy, Money and the Environment
13

Hall, stairs and Attic
Halls and stairways are areas where
lighting is generally on for long periods
of time. Therefore, CFL bulbs are a great
way to save energy and money.
Ensure your letterbox and hall door are draught proofed.
Insulating your attic properly will reduce heat loss.
Without adequate insulation, you could be wasting energy
and money.
You should add further layers of insulation if your current
layers are less than 250mm thick.
The water tank and pipes should also be insulated.
However, the area under the cold-water tank should not.
Check for draughts around the attic door and use draught
proofing to stop heat escaping.
14

THE HOME OF THE FUTURE WITH CALOR
LPG is a flexible fuel and Calor has taken
the initiative in developing efficient, costeffective
heating solutions which can
also considerably reduce carbon emissions.
Calor is working with a range of leading innovators,
to bring the next generation of combined heat and
power technology to the Irish rural market. Calor
combined heat and power (CHP) will not only heat
a property with a high efficiency condensing boiler,
but also generate around 80% of the electricity required
in a typical domestic rural property. This makes CHP
the ideal partner to renewable energy.
With approximately 750,000 households off the mains
gas network, reducing the emissions of rural homes will
play a significant part in overall targets to tackle climate
change. We must also consider how we can increase
energy efficiency. Combined Heat and Power will form
part of the solution.
Generating electricity at the point of use improves energy
efficiency levels by over 55% when compared with
generating electricity in a power station and transmitting
it to rural homes. CHP will cut CO 2 emissions of an
average rural property by up to 40% and reduce
energy bills by up to 30% through greater fuel efficiency.
Easy steps to save Energy, Money and the Environment
15

Calor and the Environment
As Calor is the leading distributor of
liquefied petroleum gas throughout Ireland,
we care about the environment, promoting
sustainability and encouraging energy
efficiency.
Our commitment is to continue to provide our customers
with smart energy solutions that reduce CO 2 emissions
and lower energy costs.
At Calor, we are committed to:
• Continually seeking new
products and applications
that help solve environmental
problems, for today and
tomorrow
• Helping our customers to use
our products more efficiently
and rewarding them for doing so
• Encouraging our suppliers to pursue
best practice
• Working closely with customers and
other interested parties to pursue
sustainable development
Remember… Sustainability begins at home!
www.exceptionalenergy.com
16

For further information, please visit
Website www.calorgas.ie
Email info@calorgas.ie
or contact us at:
Tel (RoI): 1850 812 450
Tel (NI): 028 9045 5588
Easy steps to save Energy, Money and the Environment
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